29/4/2008Crackdown on West End cars blocking fire engines - Vehicles booked and towed away as chiefs get tough
DRIVERS in Glasgow's West End last night faced a blitz on hazardous parking which could cost lives.
Fire chiefs and police launched the crackdown in a bid to help prevent a tragedy and improve access for emergency vehicles.
Car owners received a rude awakening after a car and a van were towed away and several motorists were booked.
The fire chiefs were forced to take action as a result of repeated problems around Wilton Street – one of Glasgow's most congested areas.
Group Commander Iain Goodlet, of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, said: "Seconds cost lives and if drivers continue to park irresponsibly then it could well cost a life.
"We know there are parking problems in the West End and other areas of the city, but we hope this high-profile initiative will make drivers think twice about where they leave their vehicle.
"Cars can be double parked or left on street corners, which make it more difficult for our appliances to gain access.
"There have been times when crews have had to leave their vehicle and physically carry equipment.
"Any delay in a rescue can have potentially life-threatening consequences.
"We hope people will heed this warning, but we will not hesitate to carry this out again in this area and could deploy it in other areas as well."
Residents in the area know only too well the risks when fire appliances are blocked from getting through.
Two years ago, a fire broke out in a first-floor flat in Melrose Gardens, a narrow street off Wilton Street. Firefighters were unable to take their vehicle up the street and had to lift a ladder over lines of parked cars and carry it along to the blaze.
Allan and Dorothy Gow were rescued from the top floor of the tenement by fire crews who had to run along the street with a ladder.
Mr Gow, 69, said: "I welcome this initiative and hope drivers think twice about where they park, as lives could be at risk.
"We were lucky a fire crew reached us despite being unable to get the appliance near us as we had no way of getting out ourselves."
Last year a pregnant woman was helped to safety by emergency services after a building collapsed in Wilton Street.
Inspector Tim Ross, from Maryhill Police Office, said they were fully behind the initiative.
He said: "We appreciate people want to park near to where they live, however it's important to remember parked cars causing obstruction can be extremely dangerous and a risk to public safety.
"It's also an offence and my officers will enforce the legislation where needed to address this problem."
Fire chiefs and police launched the crackdown in a bid to help prevent a tragedy and improve access for emergency vehicles.
Car owners received a rude awakening after a car and a van were towed away and several motorists were booked.
The fire chiefs were forced to take action as a result of repeated problems around Wilton Street – one of Glasgow's most congested areas.
Group Commander Iain Goodlet, of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, said: "Seconds cost lives and if drivers continue to park irresponsibly then it could well cost a life.
"We know there are parking problems in the West End and other areas of the city, but we hope this high-profile initiative will make drivers think twice about where they leave their vehicle.
"Cars can be double parked or left on street corners, which make it more difficult for our appliances to gain access.
"There have been times when crews have had to leave their vehicle and physically carry equipment.
"Any delay in a rescue can have potentially life-threatening consequences.
"We hope people will heed this warning, but we will not hesitate to carry this out again in this area and could deploy it in other areas as well."
Residents in the area know only too well the risks when fire appliances are blocked from getting through.
Two years ago, a fire broke out in a first-floor flat in Melrose Gardens, a narrow street off Wilton Street. Firefighters were unable to take their vehicle up the street and had to lift a ladder over lines of parked cars and carry it along to the blaze.
Allan and Dorothy Gow were rescued from the top floor of the tenement by fire crews who had to run along the street with a ladder.
Mr Gow, 69, said: "I welcome this initiative and hope drivers think twice about where they park, as lives could be at risk.
"We were lucky a fire crew reached us despite being unable to get the appliance near us as we had no way of getting out ourselves."
Last year a pregnant woman was helped to safety by emergency services after a building collapsed in Wilton Street.
Inspector Tim Ross, from Maryhill Police Office, said they were fully behind the initiative.
He said: "We appreciate people want to park near to where they live, however it's important to remember parked cars causing obstruction can be extremely dangerous and a risk to public safety.
"It's also an offence and my officers will enforce the legislation where needed to address this problem."
